Taking An Uncomfortable Rest

So I've been out of school for a week now, and I just have to admit: I am in a Summer Funk. I don't know if anyone out in teacher world can relate to this at all, because we're all supposed to be jumping up and down in our neighborhood pools yelling, "Yay! Summer! Freedom! Relaxation! Recuperation! Whoo hoo!" But, that's my truth.

Whenever there are transitions in my life like this, it takes a little while for me to get settled into them. First of all, there is a bit of a sadness about the end of a great year with a class you've poured your heart and soul into. Then, there is all of this slow free time that is just lovely but also daunting for those of us who love routine and being busy. It's just plain uncomfortable!

And yes, a lot of this has to do with my time in life. Newly married, no children, living in a new city... I would probably feel a lot better if I would just get super busy and make as many plans as possible, but I know the rest is important. Even if it's uncomfortable.

Personal trainers always tout the benefits of rest days, or even weeks, on our bodies, and it makes sense to me that this can apply to all facets of our lives. Do you need rest from something in your life?

Creative Rest?
    Emotional Rest?
        Spiritual Rest?
           Physical Rest?

For me, the answer to all of these is YES. There will be time for reflection and growth soon. But for now, I will be working on taking an Uncomfortable Rest.

The Sunday Blues: Passion and Renewal

Tonight, as I was driving back to Athens from Atlanta, I was listening to This American Life on NPR. The topic this week was "Amateur Hour". It was all about people, passion, and just making it work with your work. There were so many things that I heard during this short amount of time that I would love to talk about, but I'll spare you that. My sister can attest that after many Sunday night listens, I immediately text her as many cool things as I can remember when I get home. She might get jealous if I share everything here before I share with her!

Tonight, though, I am reflecting on a Ted Talk that they shared by Mike Rowe, the producer and host of the show Dirty Jobs titled, Are People With 'Dirty Jobs' The Most Successful? (This link takes you to the shortened radio version) At first, he sounds very cynical about following your passion, in fact saying "follow your passion was the worst advice I ever got." But, he really redeemed himself for me when he said, "You don't follow your passion. You bring it with you."

Bringing passion to work, or even a new week in general, is a tough thing to think about on a Sunday night. I sometimes start getting The Sunday Blues on Saturday! But tonight, as I got my home and bags organized for tomorrow, planned for lunches, and sat down to check last minute emails, I also sat down to my Lenten study from SheReadsTruth. The Sunday post is about Scripture memorization. Psalm 51:10 says, Create in a me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.  This was just what I needed to read.

Passion...
Renewal... 

I need these things. In all facets of my life. So these are the words I will pray over my week. I'm not sure that I can kick my Blues to the curb, but I know that, with God's help, I can bring passion to and seek renewal in the week ahead. And that's a start! 

Teacher Ballerina

My third year of teaching was a tough year. By the time May arrived, I was simply exhausted both professionally and personally. So, one of my teaching buddies, Lisa, suggested I take the summer and become "someone else". She told me to be a runner, a dancer, a reader, a sunbather...anything to refresh and get my mind off of teaching. She told me not to open my laptop and not to do any work until preplanning. Did I think she was crazy? Sure. Did I know she was right? Definitely. Yes, teaching was my calling and an important part of who I was, but I needed a complete break to recharge.

So I signed up for ballet classes. I took some ballet growing up. I could remember feet positions, how to plie, how to point my foot, and that I shouldn't hang upside down on the barre. But that was about it. So, I threw myself into a few hours of beginning ballet work a week and I loved it. I haven't stopped since then. Now, for the last four years, on every Monday and Thursday night, I put on some tights, pin my hair into a bun, and head downtown to my dance studio. 

On Mondays, I often pack some papers to grade during a break in classes!

The truth is, I love being a ballerina, even if it's only for four hours a week. For me, ballet is just the right mental and physical challenge. I can work hard to improve, without the pressure of becoming a professional. I get to be an artist. I even study the art on my own time so that I can learn and be better. It's so exhilarating to be the student rather than the teacher. And for a few blissful hours a week, my usually racing mind is completely consumed by my body: the motions, the steps, and the art. 

Since you've become a teacher, have you been able to be a student? 

Although I know that most teachers do not have the precious hours in their week to become a student of something, I urge you to consider it. It's easier for me because I don't have a husband and children to care for yet, but even in the midst of working a part time job on top of teaching last year, this was one part of my life that I just knew I could not give up. 

So how has being a student in the studio impacted me as a teacher in the classroom?

• I've reminded myself of what it feels like to be a struggling student. I have never been very gifted in athletics, so ballet is something I have to work extremely hard at. It's given me more compassion with kids who feel frustrated that they can't get something "right". 
• I've reminded myself of what it feels like to have triumphs. This reminds me to make sure my students are triumphing in the classroom.
• I've learned more about giving effective feedback and I've learned about how it feels to receive feedback. 
• I am able to share an important part of my story, that has nothing to do with our classroom, with my students. Ballet gives me a starting point for simple relationship building moments. "You tripped and fell and now you feel embarrassed? Would you believe that I fell in ballet class last night? I feel ya, man! You alright?" "I know you don't want to do that again, but it's going to make you stronger and better. My ballet teacher often makes me repeat things over and over until I get it right. And it feels SO GOOD when I do!" (Now, I don't talk about ballet every day, but you can see how easy it is to connect with students through your own student experiences.)

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed reading my post. I'd love to hear if you have a similar experience!